New funding announced for the #iWill Movement to develop its work in Ipswich and Blackpool

Volunteering Matters and the #iWill Movement are delighted to announce an exciting new funding award from BBC Children in Need, supporting youth social action work in Ipswich and Blackpool. This £200,000 grant will fuel vital place-based initiatives, empowering young people to drive social change in their communities. The funding will help to further embed the work already underway in Ipswich and expand similar youth-led initiatives in Blackpool, inspired by our work in Ipswich.

In Ipswich, this funding will build on the achievements of the Ipswich Social Mobility Alliance (ISMA), whose collaborative approach has united local partners, including Ipswich Borough Council, in championing young voices and nurturing a shared commitment to creating the conditions for young people to shape and lead change in the area. As part of this new phase, we’ll launch a Community of Practice Network for over 30 organisations, deliver youth-led ‘Hacks’ on key issues, and continue tracking progress on the town’s 25-year strategy for youth-led social change.

Blackpool’s existing social action efforts will also receive vital support, particularly through collaboration with our local partner, United Youth Alliance. Drawing from the Ipswich experience, Blackpool’s youth-led initiatives will expand, increasing local participation in the #iWill Movement, recruiting new Ambassadors, and amplifying the voices of young people to create lasting, systemic change.

As we celebrate this crucial funding from BBC Children in Need, Amanda Naylor OBE, CEO of Volunteering Matters, highlighted the profound impact this support will have on empowering young people: “We are immensely thankful to BBC Children in Need for their unwavering support in championing youth leadership. This funding enables young people to drive meaningful change, ensuring their voices shape the crucial decisions that affect their lives. Now, more than ever, it’s important that every part of our community is heard, and this support will foster youth-led transformations. We’re excited not only to deliver this vital work but also to share our insights across the sector, helping more organisations embrace the importance of youth involvement.”

This award marks an important milestone for our collaborative work in both Ipswich and Blackpool, as well as the wider #iWill Movement and Volunteering Matters, as we continue to champion youth-led social action across the UK. Together, we are working to ensure that young people’s voices are not only heard but actively integrated into decision-making processes at both local and national levels, driving meaningful and lasting change across communities.

Notes to Editors

About the #iWill Movement

The #iWill Movement is a collaboration of over 1,000 organisations, over 300 young #iWill Ambassadors and over 1500 young #iWill Champions from across the UK. They are united by a shared vision of a society that understands & champions the power of youth – where all young people are equipped and enabled to shape and lead change- in their own lives & communities. It’s our mission to invest in young people’s passions and talents, amplifying their voices, and empowering them to take an active role in transforming their communities through social action.

The #iWill Movement was launched in November 2013 after an independent review into how different sectors could help more young people to make a positive difference. The movement is supported by an independent coordination hub, hosted by Volunteering Matters & UK Youth.

About BBC Children in Need

BBC Children in Need believe every child and young person deserves the opportunity to thrive and be the best they can be.

BBC Children in Need’s ambition is to create lasting, positive change across the UK for the children and young people who need it most. Together with the BBC and partners, BBC Children in Need aim to inspire the nation in support of their work.

BBC Children in Need’s 1,500 local charities and projects work tirelessly in every corner of the UK to help children & young people overcome the additional challenges they currently face, including supporting children and young people living in poverty, providing emergency support to families in crisis, providing comfort to children feeling sad, lost and alone, helping children overcome social injustice and supporting children to feel safe and secure again.

Further information on BBC Children in Need can be found at www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk

All media enquiries to be sent to Cate Green at cate.green@volunteeringmatters.org.uk